Dawn Glass (Part Two)

"Ruri, are you getting used to work lately?" Sonoko Machida softened her tone as she looked at the slightly nervous girl before her, speaking gently.

At her words, Ruri Gokou immediately shook her head, offering a faint smile in response. "I'm managing just fine—I can handle it. Thank you for your concern, Chief Editor Machida."

Sonoko Machida gazed at the girl before her, who seemed to get along with everyone and could converse with anyone, with her jet-black hair and eyes sparkling like amethyst. Sonoko sighed inwardly.

In truth, Ruri Gokou has always been suppressing herself, hasn't she? The very moment she first laid eyes on this beautiful girl, Sonoko had sensed as much.

It only appeared that she had good relations with everyone; in reality, she had no true confidant. Ruri Gokou wandered alone on the fringes of the world, shutting herself away from human warmth, constantly and cautiously suppressing herself. Living this way must be truly difficult.

Although Sonoko did not know exactly what Ruri was suppressing, she genuinely worried that, if this continued, Ruri's life would become a mess.

After all, this wasn’t the first such girl she’d met with such a disposition.

Sonoko mused to herself, thinking that in some ways, Shi and Ruri were a little alike.

The only difference was that, compared to Shi’s cold and blunt treatment of everything around her, Ruri had simply chosen a more tactful way.

Ruri Gokou, not knowing why Sonoko had asked a question and then fallen silent, felt at a loss. She bit her lip, hesitated for a while, and finally spoke. "If there’s nothing else, may I return to work, Chief Editor Machida?"

Sonoko snapped out of her thoughts at Ruri’s words. Seeing the girl gazing at her so cautiously, Sonoko sighed lightly and shook her head. "No, there’s nothing else. Go ahead, Ruri."

Receiving confirmation, Ruri bowed in gratitude, then turned and left Sonoko Machida’s office.

Sonoko stared absently at Ruri’s departing figure, shook her head helplessly, and buried herself in her own work.

...

After leaving, Ruri Gokou walked straight to the restroom. She pulled out a few tissues and dabbed away the tears she had been unable to hold back. Gazing at the somewhat haggard yet still charming girl in the mirror, she forced a smile.

Then, she muttered to herself, "Actually, Chief Editor Machida is a very good person. She cares so much even for a newcomer like me. For a servant of the Night Queen, she is most certainly qualified."

Once again, she had spoken bizarre words that would baffle anyone who overheard. Ruri sighed inwardly.

"...I really like her," Ruri suddenly said, after a moment of silence.

Hadn’t she already promised herself never to show this side of her again? Hadn’t she resolved never to be weak again? Hadn’t she sworn never to accept another’s kindness?

Expressionless, Ruri stared at her reflection in the mirror, a faint, sorrowful smile touching her lips. She murmured, "Papa, Mama, Hinata, Tamaki... Ruri misses you all..."

After composing herself, Ruri walked out of the restroom with a calm face, sat at her desk, and resumed the arduous and exhausting task of reading manuscripts.

The entire editorial department, thanks to today’s meeting—or rather, the upcoming Newcomer’s Prize—was thrown into a state of busy activity.

...

Noontime break at Toyonoki Academy.

Yu Jiang was just about to get up and head to the cafeteria when Erino Aki blocked his path. Puzzled, Yu glanced at his friend, and when he received no answer, simply shrugged and sat back down.

Then he noticed Erino Aki glancing around as if searching for something.

Soon, Erino gave up his search, pulled out his phone, tapped at it for a moment, and then turned to Yu. "Come on, Yu! Let’s go to the rooftop!"

Why do we have to go to the place where Makoto once fought, Aki? Yu grumbled inwardly but obediently followed Erino Aki’s lead.

Reaching the rooftop, a crisp winter breeze brushed against their faces. Looking into the distance, the rolling mountains formed graceful curves, as though they connected the poles of the world.

The empty rooftop was scattered with a few lingering cherry blossom petals, drifting here and there. Now and then, the playful wind would stir them up, sending them swirling toward unknown places.

Yu sat down on a bench, gazed down at the vast Toyonoki Academy, and marveled at the size of the school. Then he asked, "So, Aki, why did you ask me up here?"

Erino Aki looked at Yu with a helpless expression. "Your memory... Didn’t I say yesterday that I’d treat Kato-san to lunch today as an apology for misspeaking?"

A look of realization came over Yu’s face. "Ah, now I remember... So, where’s Kato?"

He glanced around, but the ordinary girl was nowhere to be seen.

Erino Aki waved his phone. "I just messaged her on LINE. She should be here soon."

As if to confirm Erino’s words, the rooftop door suddenly swung open and a figure stepped onto the roof.

"...Sawamura-san? Eriri?" Yu and Erino exclaimed almost in unison after a brief silence.

The golden twin-tailed girl’s brows knitted at their reaction, and she glared furiously at Erino. "What’s with that tone, Aki?"

"Ah—no, no, I was just surprised to see you here on the rooftop, Eriri..." Erino, well-versed in Eriri’s temperament, hurriedly apologized.

Yu, amused by how his friend turned into a bullied little wife in front of Eriri, decided to help him out.

Clearing his throat to attract their attention, Yu asked, "Did you come here for something, Sawamura-san?"

Before Eriri could answer, another figure appeared at the door—a voluptuous upperclasswoman with long black hair and a deviously cunning air.

The sly girl—or rather, Utaha Kasumigaoka—ascended the steps, saying, "Am I supposed to notify my juniors every time I feel like coming to the rooftop?"

Yu scratched his head awkwardly, wondering why Kasumigaoka-senpai always liked to poke fun at him, but he still explained, "No, not at all, it’s just... um, Aki, did you invite Sawamura-san and Kasumigaoka-senpai?"

With that, Yu shifted his gaze from Kasumigaoka to Erino, who acted as if nothing was amiss.

Erino Aki rolled his eyes at Yu’s questioning look and retorted, "Did you forget how we both reacted exactly the same way just seconds ago?"

"...There’s no talking to you, Aki!"

Not knowing how to respond, Yu could only fall into silence.

Just as the quiet was about to settle over the entire rooftop, footsteps came from the door once more. This time, the person arriving was indeed the one Yu and Erino had been waiting for.

Megumi Kato slipped effortlessly into the group’s silence, speaking in her usual airy tone, "Ah, you’re all here already~"

Everyone: "..."